CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 38: GREETING THE VIP

Jiang Shu was still unclear how other Martial Artists made money.

But he was making money at an incredibly fast rate!

What others lacked, he had. Utilizing the uniqueness of salt and MSG, in just two days, the Zhou Family Restaurant’s signboard had become well-known within the inner city of Pingling County, and business had more than doubled.

Jiang Shu did a quick calculation. If business remained steady, he could earn one hundred taels of silver every month.

Then, he could exchange these one hundred taels of silver for ten taels of gold. On Xuanxing, that would amount to a full 250,000!

Roughly 8,000 a day!

Of course, in the early stages, Jiang Shu naturally wouldn’t do it this way. Not to mention that Pingling County had a limited gold reserve and certainly couldn’t sustain continuous exchanges. Even on Xuanxing, he was still just a minor without a stable job. This kind of grey income would have to wait until he became a Martial Artist. Soon.

With a thought, a semi-transparent panel appeared:

Jiang Shu—

Da Jing Dynasty Language/Writing: Small Success (20/1,000)

Horse Stance: Great Success (430/1,000)

Hungry Tiger Sitting in Cave Stance: Great Success (30/1,000)

Hungry Tiger Breathing Technique: Great Success (30/1,000)

Tiger Form Three Styles: Great Success (20/1,000)

...

「Two days later.」

It was evening. The setting sun, about to dip below the horizon, cast a slanting glow over the river. The clouds and water shared the same hue, resembling smooth and stunning silk.

「At the restaurant.」

The Jiang Family had already gathered.

His grandparents sat in the most honored position, their faces beaming with happiness.

On the table, the drinks had already been poured.

"Xiaoshu, you’re so confident this time, you could even attend an academy?" Upon hearing such good news, his eldest uncle, Jiang Yongren, was the first to speak. "Come, let’s toast to Xiaoshu."

"Eldest Brother, where’s Hongfei?"

"Oh, him. He arrived at the restaurant and bumped into his department head at the door. Speaking of which, it’s quite a coincidence. Today is the department head’s birthday, and he’s currently drinking in a private room on the second floor. Why don’t you, Xiaoshu, go call your cousin and take the chance to see the world as well? School life is completely different from society, after all."

"With the way society is nowadays, if you want to live a good life, you have to enter politics. You young people have a saying, don’t you? ’The end of the universe is a government post.’ Look at me, your uncle. I handle contract projects, and I look respectable enough, right? Yet I still insist on your brother Jiang Hongfei taking the civil service exam. Every other sector is unstable; this one, this is the most stable!" Jiang Yongren said, giving a thumbs-up. When Jiang Hongfei had secured a position as a civil servant, he had celebrated grandly in the restaurant, which wasn’t a small affair like this.

University, huh? Well, it’s just so-so. It’s not like several decades ago when the Xia Country was in dire need of talent. Nowadays, academic qualifications devalue too quickly. He hadn’t come into contact with graduates from academies, but he’d encountered quite a few from prestigious universities over the years. Some with capabilities could earn a few hundred thousand a year. Those without skills often face rejection in society. Presumably, academy students are no different. Being academically strong doesn’t mean one has practical skills. Not to mention, Jiang Shu only got into an academy through martial arts; its diploma might not even be as valuable as one from those who got in through the college entrance exam. Of course, these were not thoughts he would express out loud.

"Indeed, Hongfei is the most capable among you," his grandfather, who sat in the most honored position, spoke. "A’Shu, go see your cousin, learn from him, and then come back for dinner."

"Whatever."

Under the table, Jiang Yanyue kicked Jiang Shu, who was sitting next to her, and whispered very quietly. Then she took out her phone, sending messages: "Grandpa is so biased. Brother, you’re going to attend an academy, yet they are still praising Jiang Hongfei. Last time was the same, telling me that I must take the civil service exam after graduating and learn from Cousin Hongfei. PTUI, PTUI, PTUI."

"It’s alright. It’s just for one day. Just go along with it and make them happy," Jiang Shu replied via text, giving his sister a reassuring glance. He then stepped out of the private room and headed to the room number his uncle had mentioned.

He knocked on the door, and soon, a young man in his twenties opened it. His face was flushed; it was hard to tell whether from excitement or alcohol.

"Eh? Xiaoshu, why are you here?" Jiang Hongfei was taken aback and asked instinctively.

"Grandpa sent me to call you back."

"Who’s out there, Little Jiang?"

As soon as Jiang Shu spoke, a clearly inebriated voice came from within the private room. Immediately, Jiang Hongfei, who had been holding his head high at Jiang Family gatherings since landing his government job, subconsciously lowered his head, his voice taking on a sycophantic tone. "Section Chief Guo, it’s nothing..."

Jiang Hongfei shot Jiang Shu a look, signaling him to leave quickly, then hurried back into the private room. "Little Jiang will toast Section Chief Guo again. Wishing Section Chief Guo everlasting youth and continuous promotion!"

"Little Jiang, you’re not being honest. That person outside, is that your relative?"

Section Chief Guo sat in his seat, potbellied. From his position, he could clearly see Jiang Shu, a boy of about seventeen or eighteen. At this age, coming to find Jiang Hongfei, he must be Jiang Hongfei’s younger brother or some other young relative. After all, Jiang Hongfei was also having a family gathering at the hotel today.

"Section Chief Guo, you have a really sharp eye." Jiang Hongfei’s hand, holding the wine glass, paused for a moment. He quickly gave a thumbs-up and said flatteringly. While he plastered a smile on his face, inwardly he was full of resentment.

He had finally gotten this chance to cozy up to Section Chief Guo. What did Jiang Shu come here for? What’s the point of going back now? Right now, what could be more important than pleasing Section Chief Guo! So what if I miss one meal at that family gathering.

"Alright, someone has come to call you, and your relatives at home are getting anxious. You should go back, Little Jiang," Section Chief Guo said, taking a sip of his drink and waving his hand dismissively.

He was having a birthday gathering here; those close to him had naturally been informed in advance. As for Jiang Hongfei, he was somewhat marginalized in the department and didn’t know how to get things done. He couldn’t even be bothered to notify him, yet surprisingly, he ran into him at the hotel entrance. It’s all about timing and fate. It was good that someone had come to call him away.

"Section Chief Guo, there’s nothing urgent at home; I’ll go back later. I’ve been to this hotel several times and even have a bottle of Moutai stored here. I just told the waiter to bring over the stored liquor..."

"Oh? Really?"

"Yes, yes, yes! My cousin didn’t come to call me back. He probably heard from my dad that I’m currently with you, Section Chief Guo. You have status and position. Since today’s your birthday, he thought he’d come and bask in your glory. Section Chief, you don’t know, he’s taking his college entrance exam this year. Maybe if he basks in your good fortune, he might even score well!"

As if suddenly enlightened, Jiang Hongfei spoke more and more smoothly, his tone sycophantic as he lavishly praised Section Chief Guo.

"Tsk, Little Jiang, if only you’d been this sensible earlier, wouldn’t that have been fine? But even now, it’s not too late. Call your cousin in for a drink."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Thrilled at having passed this hurdle, Jiang Hongfei quickly went out, grabbed Jiang Shu by the arm to bring him in, and whispered, "Don’t say too much! Just congratulate him and leave!"

"So you’re Little Jiang’s cousin, huh? How prepared are you for the college entrance exam this year?"

As he looked at the two brothers standing before him, Section Chief Guo put on airs, reeking of alcohol. Just as he finished speaking, the cell phone that had been on the table suddenly rang.

A name lit up on the screen.

Section Chief Guo glanced at it as if he’d suddenly seen gold. He hurriedly stood up, taking the call with utmost care, his body bowed as he said, "Yes, Leader, this is Little Guo. Yes, Director Zheng is almost at the hotel. Alright, alright, I’ll go to the entrance to welcome him immediately. I guarantee I’ll host him well. Understood, understood, I will definitely complete the mission!"

Section Chief Guo’s voice was loud. Everyone at the table held their breath, fearing that even a single exhalation might disturb important matters.

"Little Jiang, when is your Moutai arriving?"

After hanging up the phone, Section Chief Guo shook his head to clear it and took a large gulp from a complimentary soft drink he picked up from the table, trying to sober up. Then, as if recalling something, he asked Jiang Hongfei.

"It should be... soon. It usually takes about ten minutes to be delivered."

Jiang Hongfei stammered a bit. If even Section Chief Guo had to be so careful when answering the phone and addressing the caller as ’Leader,’ who could it be? He hardly dared to think. Being part of the system, he understood better than anyone the clear hierarchy within.

"Good! You’ve handled this well! Just wait here for my signal. When Director Zheng arrives at the private room, you bring in the Moutai."

Section Chief Guo patted Jiang Hongfei’s shoulder and said, picking up his cup—only this time it was filled with the soft drink, not alcohol, "The Leader has given me a task, so today’s birthday celebration ends here. We’ll celebrate another time!"

"Section Chief... that Director Zheng, is he the new one?" someone at the table, who was bolder and knew more, couldn’t help but ask.

"Indeed." Section Chief Guo straightened his back, his belly protruding. He glanced around the table, then at a puzzled Jiang Hongfei, and for once offered a piece of advice, "When you come in with the liquor later, if you can avoid talking, do so. If you’re asked to speak, say as little as possible! Getting your face recognized will be beneficial for you in the future."

"Then... Section Chief, when the time comes... how should I address him?"

Jiang Hongfei’s stutter grew worse. He hadn’t expected to have such good fortune today, to be able to welcome such a high-ranking official.

If he could catch the official’s eye... Wouldn’t that mean...

Trying to contain his excitement, he couldn’t help but ask.

"His surname is Zheng. Just call him Director Zheng when the time comes."

Section Chief Guo took a couple of deep breaths before replying. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he pointed towards the ceiling and said:

"You understand what to do, right?"